PRINCESS F45

Princess’s entry-level flybridge has some big shoes to fill in replacing the all-conquering 42 and 43. Has it been worth the wait?

- Jack Haines

Getting hold of boats to test can be a complicated business because there are many factors at play. Production at a shipyard like Princess is a well-oiled machine with every boat on a drum-tight deadline to make it through the build and testing process before being shipped off to a dealer or customer. There sometimes isn’t enough slack in the system for a boat and chase boat to be ready with the correct crew all at the same time. That is why, even though the F45 was launched at Düsseldorf in 2019, we only managed to test one in early 2021 when Boats.co.uk had a spanking new stock boat delivered to Poole and extended an invitation for us to have a go. Invitation accepted.

Why is the F45 such an important boat for Princess? Firstly, it is the first rung on the ladder of the Princess flybridge range and therefore has an incredibly high standard to live up to. Despite being the least expensive flybridge in the range it cannot feel that way. It also has a crucial role in attracting new customers to the brand and, Princess hopes, setting them on their way up the ladder to larger and more expensive craft. Secondly, it is the successor to the Princess 43, which itself was based on the astoundingly good Princess 42, one of the most popular and successful boats that Princess has ever built. No pressure then.